Colorado transplant joins Poway’s long list of champs

Connor King of Poway drives into Connor Shinn of San Pasqual en route to a 26-11 triumph in the 170-pound weight class. Next up is the Masters tournament, where King will try to qualify for the state meet.
— Earnie Grafton

Connor King of Poway drives into Connor Shinn of San Pasqual en route to a 26-11 triumph in the 170-pound weight class. Next up is the Masters tournament, where King will try to qualify for the state meet.
— Earnie Grafton

POWAY  Since moving to Poway for his senior year, former Colorado state wrestling champion Connor King has enjoyed a whole new state of excellence.

That’s the way it is with the perennially powerful Titans, who won their 26th consecutive section Division I championship with a boost from King on Saturday night in their own gym.

King prevailed by technical fall in the 170-pound class as one of nine individual champions for Poway, which was represented in all but one of the final matches.

“It’s awesome being around all these very good wrestlers and tradition,” said King, who last year won the 4A Class state title at 171 pounds for Broomfield High near Boulder. “It definitely helps to motivate. Obviously, the great coaching that I’ve had every day is remarkable and just the partners that I get to wrestle with.”

The Titans (359.5 points) claimed the team title ahead of Vista (178.5) and Carlsbad (156) in anticipation of next weekend’s Masters meet that determines state meet qualifiers.

King opened the postseason by coming out of what he termed a late-season slump to take a 26-11 finals victory over San Pasqual senior Connor Shinn.

“The slump wasn’t because of my strength, endurance or ability,” said King, who has committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “I just had to get my head in the right place and beating (opponents) that I should beat.”

Poway senior Josh Miranda also advanced in his bid to complete a sweep of four years reaching the state meet. He likewise prevailed by a technical fall 17-2 over Mira Mesa’s Khoa Khuc at 120 pounds.

A year ago, Miranda kept his streak of state-meet appearances going despite battling a hip injury.

“It’s so great being healthy,” Miranda said. “Now I can just focus on doing my best. At first, when I came back, I was ready to wrestle, but I was unsure of myself. I had to get over that issue.”